Category: artistic

Many people believe that their environment helps spur creativity–or not. So we writer types tend to have an array of candles, statues, glass/pewter objects, anything that makes us *feel* more inspired.

I have no doubt that these things do help, and the subconscious mind does believe in ritual and preparing itself for creative work – – but we can’t always have the perfect desk, at the perfect moment, with the perfect mindset.

Part of writing (or any task, really) is the dreaded 4-letter word part: WORK. That means that come rain or shine, mess or beautiful mini temple of a desk, we have to put in the time and work. Writers, that means write. Accountants, jostle those numbers. And so on and so forth.

Below is a pic of the many pewter fairies I have on my desk in my office. This helps me concentrate and go to magical places. What about you? What types of totems do you keep nearby to help keep the bad energy away?

Hi everyone!

My website has officially been updated with more current themes, buy buttons for books, etc. Many thanks to Dawn at Austin Works for doing a fantastic job :)

Elaine

Whether you’re a writer, musician, artist, or another creative type, there is that energy inside you that spurs you on. Tells you to keep creating, keep working, for your stories need to be told.

Some folks call it the muse, others call it blessings from a goddess, others call it inspiration or God. No matter what you label it, the key thing we all need to remember from time to time is to pamper it. Your brain requires new input (museums, colorful paintings, a great film, a lovely book, etc.) in order to get new and fresh ideas. If you’re constantly at the canvas or the keyboard, it’s tempting to keep working and never give yourself a break.

This is counterproductive. The key is to offer a balance. Yes, do the work. Do not give in to resistance. But you must feed your muse, too. It will make all the difference.

Ideas:

– Walk in the park (or just around the block if you’re in a big city)

– See a movie

– Go have a picnic outside

– Take another driving route from the one you usually do

– See paintings in a museum

– Visit Pinterest to see some colorful and inspiring photos.

Pamper your muse. She will pay you back tenfold.

For those of you who tweet, you might be familiar with Music Monday, or #MM the hashtag, or #MusicMonday. It’s a conversation where people can chat about the music they’re listening to, what they like, dislike, etc. I find that creative types–writers, painters, screenplay writers, and more–either need music when they are creating, or they need absolute silence. Somehow, there seems to be no medium; it’s one or the other. For me, music is a must. I create a soundtrack for each book, sometimes for each character. I wish I could say how the list is created. In actuality, it’s an organic process where some songs just “fit” immediately. Eventually the list is tweaked, then set into its final form. Then it becomes the main thing to listen to while working on a particular book :) Right now, as I write Book Three of The Elemental Clan Series, EARTHBOUND, the main music I am listening to includes the group Imagine Dragons. Particularly the song “Demons” which seems to be ever so fitting. What about you? What types of music do you like for creating, or just driving down the road?

Music, for me, is like a conduit straight into the heart of the muse. Some people like writing or doing other activities in silence. I can’t. Whether it’s driving in the car, writing a book, or doing daily tasks, I need music.

For writing, I create a soundtrack for each book. It’s a mysterious process and I have no idea why some songs work and others don’t. That’s the beauty of music. It works or it doesn’t. In addition to a soundtrack, there is always *that one song* that gets me inspired.

For WATER’S BLOOD, the key song was Furnace Room Lullaby by Neko Case (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nBt_e9tzdQ)

For RAGING FIRE, the key song was “Try” by PINK. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdHCec23BKE)

For EARTHBOUND, the key song is “Demons” by Imagine Dragons. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFQYaoiIFh8

What about y’all? What songs inspire you? Give you energy?